SunPower to build 10 MW solar power plant in Alabama

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SunPower is planning to start construction on a 10-megawatt (DC) photovoltaic solar power plant this month.

The PV solar power plant is expected to generate up to 18,000 megawatt hours per year for the Redstone Arsenal U.S. Army post in Alabama.

SunPower is delivering the energy from the plant under a power purchase agreement, allowing the Army to buy 100 percent of the power generated by the plant and avoid the costs of power plant construction, maintenance and operation.

Howard Wenger, president, business units at SunPower, said: “We commend Redstone Arsenal for managing its significant energy demand by relying on abundant, renewable solar power. The SunPower technology we are installing for the agency will maximize energy production over the long term.”

The first power purchase agreement project solicited through a renewable and alternative energy Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) awarded by Huntsville Center will involve a 27-year Renewable Energy Services Agreement. SunPower has designed the project, and will construct, operate and maintain it.

Under the power purchase agreement, SunPower will deliver approximately 18,000 megawatt hours of electricity to the Army annually. All electricity generated by the plant will be purchased at a cost equal to or less than Redstone Arsenal’s current and projected utility rates.

The solar system will be designed as micro-grid ready in order to connect to a future micro-grid and contribute to the energy security of the installation.

SunPower said the Oasis Power Plant technology includes robotic solar panel cleaning capability that uses 75 percent less water than traditional cleaning methods and can improve system performance by up to 15 percent.

SunPower calculates the annual output from the power plant will be equal to the electricity needed to power approximately 5,400 electric vehicles.

The U.S. Army has a goal to derive 25 percent of total energy consumed from renewable sources by 2025, as well as a commitment to deploy one gigawatt of renewable energy on Army installations by 2025.

SunPower has installed more than 100 megawatts of solar power at 33 federal government project sites, including some of the largest operating solar power plants on U.S. military installations. Operational projects include more than 28 megawatts at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada and 13.78 megawatts at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in California.